TRAVEL TIPS WHEN GOING TO SEMARANG, INDONESIA

1. Be Open. It can be terrifying when you go to a country for the first time but you have to be open to fully enjoy the journey. You're not just paying for the places, meals, and transportation, you're also investing for your experience so make sure that it's worthwhile.

   
   

2. Clothing and Accessories. You always want to prepare for any occassion so you may bring a lot of clothes and acessories. Bring lightweight clothes because you never know that you may buy the fashion items in there. Just ensure that you'll bring modest clothes because sacred places may be a part of your itinerary or just a spontaneous trip.

   
   

3. Language. Bahasa Indonesia is the national language and is widely spoken throughout Semarang.Simple expressions like “Terima kasih” (Thank you), “Berapa harganya?” (How much?), and “Di mana toilet?” (Where is the toilet?) can go a long way. Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, locals usually appreciate the effort and will often respond more warmly.

   
   

4. Currency. In Indonesia, the local currency is the rupiah (IDR). It's also common for locals to mention only the first part of the price in conversation. For example, if a vendor says “dua ribu,” they mean 2,000 rupiah; “sepuluh ribu” means 10,000 rupiah, and so on. You’ll often hear numbers like “lima ribu” (5,000) or “lima puluh ribu” (50,000), especially in markets or food stalls.

   
   

5. Stay Connected but Disconnect Sometimes. It’s easy to get caught up in taking photos or checking your phone, but make sure to also unplug and fully experience the moment. Buy a local SIM card or use Wi-Fi to stay connected for maps and communication, but don’t forget to pause and enjoy the sights, sounds, and interactions around you. Sometimes the best memories come from simply being present.